Hotel Review:
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, A Tropical Jewel
Grand Cayman, as you may know, is one of our favorite places on the planet. We visited right before Hurricane Beryl passed through last week, and are grateful to know our friends on island were left mostly unscathed as the storm passed, and are already back on track!
On our recent visit, we explored the new Hotel Indigo, the latest addition to Grand Cayman’s luxury hospitality scene (they just opened their doors this past spring).
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Located within walking distance from the Kimpton Seafire (and very similar due to sharing a designer), this unique property redefines the expectations of the Indigo brand. It’s unlike any other Hotel Indigo, so much that we nicknamed it “Baby Seafire”. Here’s my overview:
Photo credit: Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
The Seafire Vignette
Located within what we called ‘The Triangle’, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman is a five-minute walk from both the Kimpton Seafire and a fabulous beach bar called Bonny Moon (which isn’t formally related to either property). A salesperson we spoke with, who represents both properties, referred to the area as “The Seafire Vignette”, where you can easily access the excellent dining and amenities on offer.
Redefining the Brand
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman really stood out to me as a unique entity, distinct from its counterparts in the United States, which reflects IHG’s vision of evolving the brand, with design and ambiance that set it apart. The hotel’s aesthetic is a harmonious blend of boho chic and mid-century modern, featuring subdued colors like warm dark teal in the hallways, contrasted with bright whites and soft flashes of orange-brown in the rooms. This fresh take is the brainchild of the same designer behind Kimpton Seafire, so you can see the consistent but unique design language across both hotels.
Photo credit: Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
Affordable Luxury
One of the main features that differentiates Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman from the Kimpton Seafire is its pricing. With significantly lower rates (by a few hundred dollars a night), guests can enjoy luxury accommodations without the hefty price tag. This makes it an attractive option for travelers seeking a premium experience without breaking the bank.
Photo credit: Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
Culinary Excellence and Variety
Hotel Indigo also offers a wider variety of dining options, with several restaurants on the ground floor, one on the rooftop and one by the pool, each providing a unique menu and experience:
- Cafe Alula: A casual spot for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, including vegan options.
- Catalina: An all-day restaurant serving poke bowls, burgers and great sandwiches, perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Milkberry: A phenomenal sushi restaurant offering exquisite sushi rolls, salads and sashimi. We would have eaten there every day if we could!
- Rasa: A hugely popular tasting course menu that takes you on a delicious adventure.
- Pom Pom: The rooftop bar, currently the hottest spot in town, known for its vibrant nightlife and stunning sunset views. Make sure to make a reservation!
Impeccable Service and Amenities
The service at Hotel Indigo matches the high standards set by Kimpton Seafire, with staff going above and beyond to cater to guests’ needs. The hotel offers a range of amenities, including:
- Complimentary Beach Access and Accessories: Guests can enjoy beach service through Bonny Moon Beach Bar, with complimentary chairs and umbrellas. (You can also rent bicycles from the hotel.)
- Well-Equipped Gym: The gym at Hotel Indigo is my dream gym, offering state-of-the-art equipment and far superseding the Seafire gym. And even though there isn’t a spa, we didn’t miss it because there are other spas nearby.
- Covered Parking: Unlike some of the nearby resorts, Hotel Indigo provides covered parking for guests’ convenience.
- Catering to Dietary Needs: The attention to detail in accommodating dietary restrictions and food allergies means that all guests feel cared for and welcome.
- Room Features and Comfort: We used our IHG points for the stay, and received a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom suite, which had tons of space and a stunning ocean view. The rooms are designed with comfort and luxury in mind, featuring high-end tea kettles and pour-over coffee options—a thoughtful alternative to traditional coffee makers.
- Dual Pools: A two-part pool that offers separate areas to accommodate more traffic, this thoughtful design creates more space for when the hotel is full and many families are visiting.
- Hotel Boutique: Great little shop on the ground level with fantastic wines and spreads, as well as standard travel supplies and cute beach bags, clothes, and candles.
My only critiques are that the room was a little cold and there was some noise from the road, due to its location. We had some difficulty getting into the rooftop bar, which was frustrating. Finally, guests aren’t able to charge items from Bonny Moon back to their rooms, despite the connection with the hotel via the complimentary beach service. However, they are still working out the kinks and I know they’ll figure it out!
Overall, we were really pleased with our experience and feel that Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman offers a refreshing take on luxury travel in the Caribbean. With its unique design, affordable pricing, exceptional service, and prime location, it is set to become a favorite among travelers to the Cayman Islands.
Ready to go? Reach out today so you can be among the first to experience this new gem on Grand Cayman.
Relax, we’ll take care of everything,
Amy Westerman
President
The Curated Travel Collection
P.S. For more of our travel stories, tips and trends visit our blog.
